Job Posting Details

Job # 1777 Emergencies & Disasters (online training course) 2

Job Description

Image Technical Services opened its doors in 1979 as a reseller for Sony audiovisual products. Our clients turn to Image Technical Services for fresh concepts, technical insight, and flawless execution.

We have seven short pieces of narration to be used in an online training course for the VA.

Word count: 494
Script:

010

It looks like a peaceful weekend along the Gulf Coast... but a disaster is on the horizon.

A category 4 hurricane is headed directly for this community. If it hit your facility, would you be prepared?

Even if a hurricane in your region is unlikely, many other emergencies or disasters may affect your facility with little or no warning. Is your plan in order?

060

What is a disaster? For most Americans, the term congers up images of recent hurricanes... tsunamis... or terrorist acts. Disasters can result from natural or man-made events. While the physical characteristics of a disaster can vary greatly, one thing is common... disasters are events that affect our lives and our communities.

110

For many years, emergency planners developed their emergency plans around specific types of hazards, threats, and events. For example, they created one plan for utility failures and another for earthquakes.

While this seemed like a logical approach at first, it resulted in too many plans.

Disaster researchers and emergency managers analyzed this multiple-plan strategy and discovered that response procedures were generally the same for all types of hazards. This isn't to say that response to a utility failure and an earthquake will be identical, but the general response procedures for handling each of these events should be the same.

As a result, there's been a shift in orientation surrounding disaster planning. Instead of creating numerous plans for specific scenarios, emergency managers are opting to create a single, all-inclusive plan that applies standard procedures to all types of hazards.

140

The VHA is a leader in many aspects of emergency management. For example, it has developed an effective emergency management program (or EMP) that is being used throughout the country. From small rural medical centers to large urban facilities, the VHA's emergency management program is being implemented to protect life and property, and to ensure continuous operation during an actual event.

180

To determine which hazards are most likely to affect your region, your organization will conduct a Hazards Vulnerability Analysis (or HVA). This involves identifying hazards, threats and events that impose significant risk to continued operations. Then a simple checklist is used to compare and prioritize each risk. Those above a predetermined level require the development of a standard operating procedure to manage that threat. SOPs serve as reminders or checklists for the initial response phase and are attachments to the all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan (or EOP).

250

Initially during a disaster or emergency, patients are best protected by having them remain in their rooms.

If a decision is made to further evacuate, patients are moved horizontally on the same floor.

Later, a decision may be made to evacuate vertically or out of the building.

370

During an emergency or disaster, you may have to take action. Being prepared and understanding the situation will increase the effectiveness of your actions. Remember these steps to ensure your effectiveness in an emergency: be ready... be willing... take action.